Kurt Suzuki is the current catcher for the Oakland Athletic’s. In his five seasons with the Athletics Kurt Suzuki has recorded 56 home runs and over 500 hits. Suzuki took the time recently to answer some questions for my blog:

1.) At what age did you first become interested in baseball?

I’ve always loved baseball, but it wasn’t until I was in middle school that I really wanted to play as long as I could.

2.) Did you always want to be a catcher?

I actually wanted to be a shortstop early. When I got to high school I focused on being a catcher full time.

3.) Where were you, and how did you find out, that you’d been drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 2004 draft? Initial thoughts?

We had an off day before the super regionals in college so I was at our coaches office at the field watching it on the computer. I was really excited to be drafted by Oakland. It was a west coast team with lots of tradition and I heard about their love of bringing up young players.

4.) How do you prepare yourself (and your knees) for the many innings behind the plate?

I work on staying flexible and athletic. I try to rely on quickness then being really big. All my workouts are explosive, quick twitch muscles related.

5.) Do you have any pre-game rituals?

I have a pre game routine I do every game to get myself loose and warm. If I do it I also feel prepared and confident going into the game.

6.) Do you find it a better feeling to throw out a baserunner or to hit a home run?

Hard question. They’re both quite awesome. You get a good rush running the bases on a homer, but you also feel pretty cool nailing a runner at second or third. Helps the pitcher out and that’s huge for a catcher.

7.) What advice would you give to young catchers when it comes to throwing out base stealers and blocking the plate?

For throwing the best advice I got is not to rush. Give yourself a chance and be accurate. If you’re too quick and throw it into center it does no good. Put yourself in a good position when blocking the plate ready to absorb the hit. Make sure you have the ball too. No need to get run over when you don’t have the ball anyway.

8.) Favorite TV show?

Favorite tv show is parenthood.

9.) Favorite food?

Food: lau lau, lomi salmon, kalua pig and rice.

10.) Favorite moment of baseball career thus far?